\ 


Walep 


BR. 


UCSB  LIBRARY 


THE  UTICA  WATER  WORKS. 


A    PAPER    READ    BEFORE    THE 

ONKIDA    HISTORICAL    SOCIETY, 

JANUARY,    1886, 


BY 


THOMAS    HOPPER. 


THE  UTICA  WATER  WORKS. 


BY    THOMAS    HOPPER, 
President,  Projector  and  Builder  of  the  Works. 


At  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  the  village  of  Utica,  the 
subject  of  procuring  a  more  wholesome  supply  of  water,  than 
could  be  obtained  from  wells,  was  under  the  earnest  consideration  of 
the  five  hundred  pioneers  who  had  made  their  new  homes  near  the 
"banks  of  the  Mohawk  river,  within  a  radius  of  a  few  rods  of 
Bagg's  Square. 

On  the  13th  day  of  April,  1802,  the  Legislature  of  the  State 
passed  an  Act,  creating  Benjamin  Walker,  Silas  Clark  and  Robert 
Bardwell  and  their  associates  a  body  politic,  for  the  purpose  of 
supplying  the  village  of  Utica  with  wholesome  water,  by  means 
of  aqueduct,  under  the  name  of  the  Utica  Aqueduct  Company; 
capital,  not  to  exceed  five  thousand  dollars.  In  pursuance  of 
this  Act,  the  company  by  means  of  a  log  aqueduct,  brought  water 
from  springs  at  the  foot  of  the  sand  bank  (now  Spring  street), 
wThere  the  waters  of  the  several  springs  were  united  and  taken  down 
through  the  pasture  lots  to  a  point,  now,  the  north  corner  of 
Genesee  and  Liberty  streets ;  and  from  thence  down  Genesee  street, 
at  a  distance  of  about  18  feet  from  the  north  line  thereof.  Some 
of  the  logs  are  still  well  preserved,  and  lying  at  a  depth  of  nine  feet 
from  the  surface  of  the  street.  This  aqueduct  continued  to  supply  a 
part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  village,  until  1824 ;  when  the  Erie  canal 
was  made  through  Utica,  at  which  time  the  aqueduct  was  severed 
and  the  supply  below  cut  off.  As  an  auxiliary  to  these  works,  and  for 
the  better  protection  of  property  against  fire,  in  1805  the  trustees  of 
the  village  ordered  three  wells  to  be  dug,  and  fitted  with  pumps — 
they  were  severally  placed  at  the  intersection  of  Hotel  with 
Whitesboro  streets,  at  the  corner  of  Genesee  and  Liberty  streets, 
and  in  the  center  of  Genesee  street  in  a  line  from  the  west  corner 
of  John  and  Main  streets,  and  the  north  corner  of  Genesee  and 
Whitesboro  streets.  The  pump  was  removed  from  the  last 
mentioned  well  about  1822,  and  a  flat  stone  placed  over  it  perhaps 


three  feet  from  the  surface  of  the  street.  The  two  other  wells 
were  filled  up  at  an  earlier  period  of  time.  From  1824  to  1834 
the  inhabitants  of  the  village  and  city  were  dependent  entirely 
upon  their  wells  for  water. 

In  1826,  (13th  day  of  April),  the  Legislature  passed  an  Act 
incorporating  another  company  of  the  same  name  for  supplying 
the  village  of  Utica  with  water,  "The  Utica  Aqueduct  Company, 
in  the  County  of  Oneida."  The  incorporators  were  Newell  Smith,. 
William  Alverson,  David  P.  Hoyt,  and  their  associates.  The 
works  contemplated  in  this  Act  were  not  erected. 

In  1832,  an  association  was  formed  ;  the  Articles  of  Association 
dated  April  3d,  1832.  The  property  of  this  association  was  divided 
into  eight  shares:  three  belonged  to  Apollos  Cooper,  one  to  James 
Sayre,  one  to  Ephraim  Hart,  one  to  Dr.  T.  Pomeroy,  one  to  Julius 
Spencer,  and  one  to  Palmer  Townsend.  The  certificates  were 
drawn  in  form  as  follows,  to  wit : 

"Utica  Water  Works  Association,  between  Apollos  Cooper 
and  others,  as  per  deed  and  articles  of  association,  dated  3d  of 
April,  1832.  No.  1.  It  is  hereby  certified  that  Apollos  Cooper  is 
proprietor  and  owner  of  the  Three  Shares  of  the  property  of  the 
said  Association,  each  share  being  the  eighth  part  of  the  whole  of 
said  property.  Transferable  only  by  the  consent  of  the  share 
or  stockholders  of  said  association,  as  specified  in  said  Articles  of 
Association. 

In  testimony  whereof,  the  President  and  Secretary  have  hereunto 
set  their  names,  the  first  day  of  September,  1833. 

(Signed,) 

JAMES  SAYKE,  Sejy.  A.  COOPER,  PRES'T." 

This  association  did  not  proceed  to  erect  their  works  until  1834. 
They  then  connected  the  spring  on  Mr.  Middleton's  lot  above 
Spring  street  to  a  spring  north  of  said  street,  and  from  thence 
laid  2 1  inch  pipe  down  through  Cornelia  street  to  Fayette 
street,  and  from  thence  down  Fayette  street,  crossing  Genesee 
street  to  corner  of  Bleecker  street,  thence  down  Genesee 
street  to  Catharine  street,  and  from  thence  to  the  Green- 
man  building,  where  it  ended.  This  association  served  very  pure 
water  until  1850,  when  the  works  were  abandoned. 

The  Legislature  passed  an  Act  May  10th,  1845,  to  authorize 
Edward  Brodhead  (then  a  citizen  of  Utica)  to  supply  the  city  of 
Utica  with  pure  and  wholesome  water.  Mr.  Brodhead  made  a 
survey  and  plans  for  introducing  pure  wafer  into  the  city  through 


a  log  aqueduct  of  six  inches  bore,  from  the  Starch  Factory  Creek, 
on  that  portion  of  it  on  which  the  large  impounding  reservoir  is 
located ;  but  not  meeting  with  sufficient  encouragement  he  aban- 
doned the  project.  He  is  now  an  honored  citizen  of  Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin. 

UTICA  WATER    WORKS   COMPANY. 

INCORPORATED  MARCH  31,  1848. 

Directors  named  in  the  Act :  James  Watson  Williams,  Nicholas 
Devereux,  Alfred  Munson,  Andrew  S.  Pond,  Charles  A.  Mann, 
Horatio  Seymour,  Silas  D.  Childs,  Willard  Crafts  and  Thomas 
Hopper.  [Of  these,  two  are  living;  Horatio  Seymour  and 
Thomas  Hopper.]  Capital  stock,  $75,000. 

The  subscribers  were  as  follows : 

NAMES.  SHARES.  AMOUNT. 

James  Watson  Williams, 45      $1,20000 

Alfred  Munson, 100      2,500  00 

Charles  A.  Mann, 100      2,500  00 

Horatio  Seymour, 80     2,000  00 

Silas  D.  Childs, , 100     2,500  00 

Willard  Crafts, 40      1,000  00 

Nicholas  Devereux, 60      1,500  00 

Thomas  H.  Hubbard, 40      1,000  00 

Philo  Gridley, 40      1,000  00 

James  Benton, 4      100  00 

John  McCall, .«.  20      500  00 

Michael  McQuade, 4     100  00 

Julius  A.  Spencer, 10      250  00 

Hugh  Crocker, 2      50  00 

T.  E.  &  A.  A.  Jones, 8     200  00 

J.  V.  P.  Gardner, 10      250  00 

Patrick  Cassidy, ; 4      100  00' 

Robert  Jones  &  Son, 2  ....  50  00 

John  F.  Seymour, 20  v. . . .  500  00 

James  Dutton, 2     50  00 

Harvey  Barnard, 2      50  00 

O.    B.  Matteson 40      1,000  00 

J.  E.  Warner  &  Co., 10      250  00 

Charles  P,  Kirkland, 40      1,000  00 

Edmund  A.  Wetmore, 20      500  00 

Baxter  &  Hull, 12      300  00 


NAMES.  SHAKES.  AMOUNT. 

Price  &  Dana, 4  100  00 

R.  W.  Sherman, 2  50  00 

Theodore  P.  Ballou, 4  100  00 

Alvin  White, 4  100  00 

Timothy  O.  Grannie, 2  50  00 

William  Bristol, 32  800  00 

Pomeroy,  Walker  &  Co., 20  500  00 

Alfred   Churchill, 40  1,000  00 

George  Tracy, 4  ....  100  00 

John  S.  Peckham, 2  50  00 

James  Bidwell, 2  50  00 

Stephen  Thorn, 20  500  00 

James  Bryan, 4  ....  10000 

Moses  D.  Bagg, 10  250  00 

William  J.  Bacon, . . .' 10  • 250  00 

Simon  V.  Oley, 10  250  00 

Murdock  &  Andrews, 16  ....  400  00 

Levi  Cozzens, 20  ....  500  00 

Alfred  L.  Wells, , . ,  10  ....  250  00 

Charles  Churchill, 4  10000 

Martin  Hart, 40  1,000  00 

E.  B.  Langford, , 1  25  00 

James  Klinefelt, 4  100  00 

N.  White  &  Sons, 2  ....  50  00 

N.  H.  Morse, 1  25  00 

J.  C.  Bailey, 12  ....  30000 

Thorn  &  Maynard, .- 40  1,000  00 

James  Lewis, 4  ....  1 00  00 

James  Mapes, 4  ....  100  00 

Orville  Orcutt, 4  100  00 

Archibald  Gardner, 4  ....  100  00 

McQuade  &  Clark, 8  200  00 

Chauncey  Palmer, 8  ....  200  00 

Theodore  S.  Faxton, 100  2,500  00 

David  Donaldson, 4  ....  100  00 

Sylvester  Aylesworth, 1  25  00 

Benjamin  F.  Brooks 1  ....  25  00 

Eaton  J.  Richardson, 4  100  00 

Charles  Hurlburt, 4  ....  100  00 

D.  H.  Davidson, 4  ....    '       100  00 

E.  S.  Brayton, 4  1 00  00 


7 

NAMES.  SHARES.  AMOUNT. 

J.  L.  Pierce, 2  50  00 

D.  V.  W.  Golden, 1  ....  2500 

James   Dana, 4  ....  100  00 

Z.  &  P.  Lyon, 2  ....  50  00 

M.  M.  Ellis, 2  50  00 

M.  M.  Bagg, 1  25  00 

Bradford  S.  Merrell, 2  50  00 

Bailey  &  Brothers, 1  ....  25  00 

William  Tracy, 8  200  00 

Peter  Freeman, 6  ....  150  00 

William  Freeman, 1  ....  25  00 

John  Miller, 4  100  00 

William  Brady, 2  ....  50  00 

Roberts,  Sherman  &  Colston,. . .  4  100  00 

Gilbert  A.  Foster, 10  250  00 

Richard  Jackson, 2  ....  50  00 

A.  J.  Williams, 16  400  00 

Thomas  T.  Williams, 1  25  00 

D.  Timmerman, 1  25  00 

John  W.  Bates, 4  10000 

W.   H.  Haynes, 1  25  00 

Lawrence  Morgan, 4  .  100  00 

Joseph  Bedbury, 1  25  00 

Joseph  Nutt, 1  25  00 

Paul  Reiser, 2  50  00 

M.  M.  Ellis, 4  100  00 

Isaac  Bond, , 4  100  00 

William  D.  Hamlin, 10  25000 

Egbert  Bagg, 4  100  00 

E.  M.  Gilbert, 20  500  00 

T.  R.  Walker, 20  . . . ,  500  00 

J.  Griffiths, 6  150  00 

Urbane  Dunning, 1  — .  25  00 

Norman  C.  Newell, 4  100  00 

Herman  Ferry, 8  200  00 

Job  S.  Collins, 2  50  00 

William  Walcott, 40  1,000  00 

John  J.  Francis, 4  100  00 

Peter  Clogher, 2  50  00 

Luke  Wilkins, 4  100  00 

William  Morris, 20  500  00 


NAMES.  SHARES.  AMOUNT. 

Ebenezer  Leach, 20  500  00 

Martin  Bremmer, 8  200  00 

Edward  Eames, 4  10000 

John  Carton, 3  7500 

James  H.  Reed, 6  ....  15000 

Palmer  V.  Kellogg, 8  ....  200  00 

George  Parker,  Clinton, 10  250  00 

Edward  B.  Jones, 2  50  00 

Waraick  &  Bryan, 8  200  00 

H.  H.  Smith, 2  50  00 

Charles  Downer  &  Co., 4  100  00 

Griffith  Williams, ,  1  2500 

M.  B.  Debman, 1  25  00 

Pomeroy  &  Crippen, ...» 2  ....  50  00 

A.  N.  Pomeroy, 2  50  00 

J.  O.  Jones, 4  100  00 

Warren  Cooley, 1  25  00 

Clark  Wilson, 8  200  00 

Edward  Seaton, 1  2500 

Timothy  O.  Grannis, 4  10000 

John  Beston, 20  500  00 

Isaac  Fish, 1  25  00 

Onias  P.  Miller,  Whitestown,. . .  20  500  00 

Thomas  Hopper, 4,048  36,250  00 

Of  these  subscribers  twenty-six  are  now  living. 

The  projector  of  the  proposed  works  submitted  the  plans,  dia- 
grams and  specifications  in  the  autumn  of  184V,  to  a  meeting  of 
citizens  held  in  Mechanics  Hall.  Approval  was  very  general  for 
some  means  being  adopted,  by  which  the  City  might  be  supplied 
with  pure  water,  but  none  favored  the  works  being  made  by  the 
City  in  its  corporate  capacity,  and  therefore  they  must  be  estab- 
lished by  individual  enterprise,  if  at  all.  Seventy-five  thousand 
dollars  at  that  time  was  a  large  amount  to  raise,  and  for  a  work 
for  which  very  grave  doubts  existed  in  the  minds  of  many.  Some 
thought  it  a  very  wild  project,  and  of  doubtful  utility;  others 
"  had  no  money  to  throw  away ;"  and  many  were  of  the  opinion 
that  the  cost  had  been  very  much  underestimated,  and  that  we 
were  launching  ourselves  into  loss  and  failure.  The  directors  were 
of  the  opinion  that  a  trial  had  better  be  made ;  a  subscription 
book  was  opened,  and  presented  to  the  citizens  pretty  generally 


9 

for  several  months,  with  the  result  of  $22,000  being  subscribed, 
and  there  seemed  but  little  prospect  of  obtaining  a  much  greater 
sum.  At  this  juncture  so  many  obstacles  Avere  presented,  that  all 
hope  of  success  was  lost,  and  would  have  been  to  this  day,  proba- 
bly, but  for  the  energy  and  perseverance  of  two  of  the  directors, 
(Messrs.  Wetmore  and  Devereux.)  These  gentlemen  were  unwill- 
ing to  give  up  an  enterprise  so  very  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the 
City,  without  resorting  to  the  last  means  for  its  accomplishment;- 
and  they  again  had  an  interview  with  the  projector  of  the  works, 
proposing  ways  by  which  the  needed  capital  might  be  obtained, 
provided  a  person  could  be  found  to  erect  the  works  for  a  specific 
sum,  and  assume  the  risks  of  the  purchase  of  land  and  water 
privileges,  &c. ;  all  to  be  in  accordance  with  the  plans,  specifica- 
tions, &c.  They  said  "they  had  besn  diligent  in  finding  such 
person,  but  none  would  think  of  engaging  for  a  less  sum  than 
$150,000,  which  sum  could  not  possibly  be  obtained."  "They 
feared  the  estimate  was  quite  too  low;"  though  they  were  reassured 
that  the  plans  and  estimates  were  carefully  made,  so  far  as  at 
present  could  be  ascertained.  The  owners  of  the  land  and  water 
privileges  to  be  acquired  had  been  conferred  with;  some  were 
willing  to  sell  at  reasonable  prices,  but  the  prices  of  others  could  not 
be  favorably  entertained.  There  were  about  ten  miles  of  these 
rights  to  be  obtained,  which  would  require  many  months  to  perfect 
titles  to,  and  if  the  works  were  to  be  commenced  without  delay,  the 
contractor — whoever  he  might  be — would  have  to  assume  the  risk 
of  getting  titles.  The  result  of  this  interview  was  a  negative 
answer  to  the  requests  then  made,  but  with  a  promise  to  meet 
again  soon  after  further  consideration.  The  next  meeting  was  at 
Mr.  Wetmore's  office.  The  whole  matter  had  been  under  careful 
advisement ;  $53,000  were  yet  needed,  ($22,000  had  already  been 
subscribed.)  It  was  the  opinion  of  the  directors  that  the  subscrib- 
ers would  prefer  to  double  their  amounts  of  subscriptions  to  having 
the  enterprise  fail  of  success,  and  that  by  canvassing  the  city 
thoroughly  the  remainder  might  be  secured.  A  few  accessions  were 
made,  but  the  prospects  were  so  discouraging,  that  the  matter 
remained  in  statu  quo  for  some  time.  In  the  meantime  the 
originator  of  the  enterprise  visited  some  friends  in  New  York. 
Fortunately  those  friends  evinced  greater  confidence  in  the  project 
than  was  felt  at  home,  which  made  it  certain  that  the  necessary 
funds  would  be  forthcoming  when  wanted  ;  this  led  to  another 
meeting  of  the  directors,  when  one  of  their  number  submitted  a 
proposition  to  not  only  enter  into  the  contract  to  perform  all  the 


10 

requirements  of  the  plans,  specifications,  &c.,  to  the  full  and  entire 
satisfaction  of  the  directors,  but  would  furnish  one-half  of  875,000. 
The  offer  was  gladly  accepted,  when  the  required  sum  was  at  once 
raised.  The  contract  was  entered  into  on  the  21st  day  of  April, 
1849. 

The  plans  and  specifications  required  a  well  to  be  made  in  the 
west  branch  of  the  Starch  Factory  Creek,  on  Mr.  Harvey's  farm, 
with  all  necessary  grates,  strainers,  &c.  A  round  aqueduct  of 
twelve  inches  internal  diameter,  to  be  constructed  of  hard  burned 
brick  laid  in  cement,  excepting  in  places  subjected  to  pressure, 
where  ten  inch  iron  pipe  was  to  be  laid.  Said  aqueduct  to 
extend  from  said  well  to  between  High  and  Chatham  streets, 
where  a  reservoir  was  to  be  built,  to  be  two  hundred  feet  on  each 
street,  and  two  hundred  and  forty  feet  in  width,  and  for  a  depth  of 
ten  feet  of  water;  with  all  necessary  wells,  pipes,  &c.  The  reser- 
voir to  be  substantially  fenced.  The  aqueduct  to  be  continued 
through  the  reservoir  to  near  its  north  corner  to  a  twelve  inch 
iron  gate;  from  thence  a  twelve  inch  cast  iron  pipe  to  centre  of 
Bridge  street  (now  Park  avenue,)  and  from  thence  a  ten 
inch  pipe  to  the  west  side  of  Genesee  street  (through  Dakin 
street),  and  from  thence  an  eight  inch  pipe  along  west 
side  of  Genesee  street  to  Hotel  street;  thence  down  Hotel 
street  to  Liberty  street,  and  from  thence  a  pipe  of  six  inches 
bore  through  Liberty  to  Genesee  street,  down  west  side  of 
Genesee  to  Catharine  street ;  and  from  thence  across  to  east 
side  of  Genesee  street;  and  from  thence  down  to  Main  street.  A 
pipe  of  six  inches  bore  down  Bridge  street  from  Dakin  street  to 
centre  of  Chancellor  square,  and  from  thence  a  four  inch  pipe 
to  Jay  street.  From  these  mains  the  branch  pipes  to  be  laid  as 
follows: 

Genesee  street, ....  Dakin  to  Bleecker, ....   3  inch  pipe. 

Genesee  street, .  Catharine  to  Water, ...   4  inch  pipe. 

Columbia  street,  . .  Genesee  to  Varick, 5  inch  pipe. 

Fayette  street, ....  Genesee  to  State, 4  inch  pipe. 

Hotel  street, Liberty  to  Whitesboro,  4  inch  pipe. 

Whitesboro  street,  Genesee  to  Seneca, 3  inch  pipe. 

Charlotte  street,. .  Bridge  to  Bleecker, 4  inch  pipe. 

John  street, Bridge  to  Bleecker, ....   3  inch  pipe. 

Bleecker  street, . . .  Franklin  to  6  Bleecker, .   3  inch  pipe. 

Elizabeth   street, . .  Bridge  to  Kent, 3  inch  pipe. 

Kent  street, Elizabeth  150  ft.  down,.   3  inch  pipe. 


11 

Franklin  street, . . .   Bleecker  400  ft.  down, .   3  inch  pipe. 

Catharine  street, . .   Genesee  to  First, 3  inch  pipe. 

Broad  street, Genesee  to  Second, ....   3  inch  pipe. 

Branch  pipes  to  be  laid  at  all  intersecting  streets.  Stop  cocks 
to  be  set  for  each  of  the  branch  pipes,  and  other  stop  cocks  to  be 
set  as  directed.  Pipes  to  be  laid  for  fifty  hydrants. 

All  cast  iron  pipes  to  be  subjected  to  three  hundred  pounds 
pressure;  and  the  contract,  &c.,  further  required  that  the  con- 
tractor shall,  at  his  own  expense  and  cost,  get  and  procure  to  the 
Water  Company,  a  good  and  valid  right  and  title  to  take,  use  and 
protect  against  injuries  or  nuisances,  all  the  waters  flowing  from 
springs  or  otherwise,  into  either  branch  of  the  Starch  Factory 
Creek,  south  of  the  well  at  Harvey's  farm;  and  also  the  right  to 
make,  lay  and  construct  and  repair  aqueducts,  reservoirs,  pipes  and 
other  works  necessary  or  proper  in  the  conveying  and  distribution 
of  the  water,  according  to  the  design  and  intention  of  the  contract. 
The  contractor  to  pay  all  expenses,  costs  and  damages  of  every 
kind  and  nature,  which  may  be  incurred  by  reason  of  taking  land 
and  water.  The  evidences  to  be  recorded  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk 
of  Oneida  County.  The  contractor  agreeing  to  construct  the 
works,  and  every  portion  thereof,  in  the  most  permanent  and  sub- 
stantial manner,  and  at  his  own  expense  and  cost,  furnish  all  the 
materials,  labor,  and  other  things,  for  the  construction  of  said 
works ;  and  have  the  whole  completed  and  entirely  finished  by  the 
first  day  of  May,  1850. 

In  short,  the  contractor  was  bound  to  construct,  complete  and 
put  the  works  in  full  working  order,  and  to  keep  them  in  repair 
for  three  months  after  completion ;  aud  to  warrant  all  the  works 
and  pipes  to  stand  without  any  failure  for  one  year  from  the 
time  of  completion;  also  to  superintend  the  works  for  three 
months  after  completion.  The  superintendence  has  extended  to 
the  more  remote  period  of  thirty-five  years. 

The  work  on  the  reservoir  was  commenced  the  day  after 
signing  the  contract;  the  laying  of  pipes  on  the  8th  day  of 
May  following.  As  it  was  the  intention  to  finish  the  works  in 
course  of  the  year,  the  construction  was  pressed  with  much  energy 
and  perseverance.  The  summer  proved  very  favorable — not  a  day 
was  lost  on  account  of  inclement  weather.  On  the  8th  day 
of  November,  1849,  the  water  was  let  into  all  the  mains,  and  was 
flowing  from  all  the  hydrants  and  the  works  virtually  finished,, 
to  the  full  satisfaction  of  parties  contracting. 


12 

An  Act  passed  the  Legislature  March  8,  1850,  authorizing  the 
Company,  from  time  to  time,  to  increase  their  capital  stock,  in 
such  sums  as  the  directors  may  deem  best,  so  however  that  the 
whole  amount,  including  the  present  stock,  shall  not  exceed 
$150,000. 

June  30,  1853,  the  Legislature  passed  an  Act  as  follows:  "The 
Utica  Water  Works  Company  is  hereby  authorized,  by  an  exten- 
sion of  its  pipes  and  conduits,  to  supply  water  to  such  towns  or 
parts  of  towns,  adjoining  the  bounds  of  the  City  of  Utica,  as  said 
Company  may  deem  it  expedient  to  supply  with  water." 

This  same  year  a  four  inch  main  was  laid  from  the  termination  of 
the  six  inch  main,  at  the  corner  of  Genesee  and  Main  streets,  down 
to  the  river,  running  twelve  feet  from  the  west  wing  of  the  bridge ; 
thence  across  the  river  (conforming  with  its  bed)  to  Deerfield, 
passing  three  feet  from  the  north  wing  of  the  bridge,  and  from 
thence  northeasterly  through  the  street,  to  opposite  Shaw's 
slaughter  house,  and  from  thence  into  the  slaughter  honse  yard. 

In  1853  also  the  company  increased  its  capital  to  $85,000.  The 
$10,000  was  raised  principally  for  the  laying  four  inch  mains  from 
the  junction  of  Varick  and  Columbia  streets  to  the  Steam  Woolen 
Mills  on  Columbia  street,  and  to  the  Globe  Woolen  Mills  on  Court 
street. 

In  the  fall  of  1856,  the  Company  bought  the  lot  on  the  south 
corner  of  Steuben  and  South  streets,  for  the  purpose  of  boring  for 
water.  Richard  R.  Lansing  and  others,  in  1828,  commenced  boring 
for  coal  on  this  lot,  and  run  a  three  inch  shaft  down  about  two 
hundred  feet.  After  the  first  ten  feet  (of  earth)  the  boring  was 
through  Utica  slate.  The  work  was  abandoned,  and  the  hole 
remained  plugged  until  1836,  when  George  J.  Hopper  with  others 
resumed  the  boring  and  continued  on  for  several  weeks;  but  meet- 
ing with  no  better  success,  and  coming  to  nothing  but  slate,  again 
plugged  the  drill,  until  the  purchase  by  the  Water  Company  in 
1856.  An  inclosed  derrick  was  erected  over  the  shaft,  of  thirty- 
five  feet  in  height;  four  hundred  feet  of  iron  rods  were  prepared, 
with  all  other  apparatus  for  drilling.  A  spring  pole  was  set, 
windlass,  ropes,  &c.,  in  place,  and  the  work  of  sinking  the  shaft 
continued  until  the  cold  weather  of  November,  when  the  boring 
was  ended,  purposing  to  go  on  again  in  the  spring,  but  which  how- 
ever was  not  attempted.  The  'shaft  was  sunk  to  a  depth  of  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  The  drill  came  to  nothing  but  hard 
slate,  until  three  hundred  and  forty-five  feet  down.  Here  the  bor- 
ing was  through  black  sandstone  for  about  two  feet ;  from  this  there 


came  a  flow  of  oil  and  gas.  The  gas,  when  Ignited,  burned  bril- 
liantly from  the  cylinder  in  which  the  debris  was  raised,  until  its 
final  escape.  Oil  was  fully  apparent.  The  drill  again  passed  into 
slate.  In  corroboration  of  this  statement,  Mr.  Sweet  (then  State 
Engineer),  who  had  visited  the  oil  regions  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1849,  under  the  auspices  of  this  State,  to  make  examinations  and 
ascertain  the  status  of  that  interesting  region,  came  from  Albany 
twice,  and  on  careful  examination  of  the  debris  drawn  from  the 
well,  said  he  "  had  never  met  with  a  more  encouraging  '  show '  for 
a  flow  of  oil  at  the  same  depth  of  boring ;"  and  was  of  the  opinion, 
at  an  increased  depth  of  eighty  feet,  oil-bearing  sandstone  would 
be  reached  of  much  greater  thickness  and  perchance  a  large  flow. 
Further  investigation  may  lead  to  ulterior  results  of  interest  and 
profit,  although  well  known  geological  formations  do  not  favor  a 
great  outlay  in  pursuance  of  finding  oil  or  natural  gas  in  this 
locality.  "Finding,"  however,  is  generally  the  result  of  search, 
and  particularly  so,  if  searching  into  the  unseen  and  hidden 
recesses  of  the  depths  below. 

In  1854,  the  directors  finding  the  supply  of  water  (being  800,000 
gallons  per  day  from  the  springs)  becoming  inadequate  for  the 
increasing  demand  purchased  a  farm  of  about  forty  acres  of  land, 
lying  southerly  of  George  W.  Harvey's  farm,  from  Robert  Cook, 
on  which  was  erected  the  second  reservoir.  The  bank  was  made 
to  the  height  of  fifty  feet.  The  water  at  high  water  mark  covers 
an  area  of  seven  acres;  capacity  about  forty  million  gallons. 
This  reservoir  answered  its  purpose  until  1868,  when  it  was  found 
necessary  to  make  another  to  meet  the  constantly  increasing 
demands.  Consequently  the  Company  purchased  seventeen  acres 
of  land,  on  which  the  distributing  reservoir  is  built,  and  at  the 
same  time  it  became  necessary  to  increase  the  aqueduct  capacity 
from  ten  inches  internal  diameter,  to  two  aqueducts  of  twelve 
inches  each ;  which,  together  with  distributing  pipes  through  the 
streets  of  the  city,  would  give  an  increased  distance  of  cast  iron 
pipes  of  about  ten  miles. 

The  estimated  cost  of  this  new  work  (which  was  the  actual  cost) 
was  $130,000.  Whereupon  in  May  (18th),  1868,  by  an  Act  of  the 
Legislature,  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Utica  was 
authorized  to  make  a  contract  with  the  Utica  Water  Works  Com- 
pany, and  thereby  fix  and  agree  upon  a  sum  to  be  paid  annually  to 
the  Company,  for  a  supply  of  water  for  the  extinguishment  of 
fires ;  and  providing  that  when  such  contract  is  made,  the  Com- 
pany shall  furnish  water  to  the  City  in  the  manner  required  by  the 


14 

law.  The  Company  was  authorized  by  the  same  law,  to  increase 
the  capital  stock  to  a  sum  not  exceeding  $200,000,  to  be.  fixed  by 
the  directors.  A  contract  was  made  between  the  City  and  the 
Company,  under  the  law ;  and  the  directors  resolved  to  increase  the 
capital  stock  to  $200,000,  being  an  addition  of  $115,000  to  the 
former  capital  of  $85,000.  The  balance  of  $15.000  required  for 
the  work  was  raised  by  the  sale  of  the  bonds  of  the  Company. 
Confidence  at  this  time  was  so  fully  established  in  the  ability  of 
the  Company  to  fulfil  any  obligations  it  might  deem  proper  to 
assume,  that  no  difficulty  was  encountered  in  the  sale  of  stock  and 
bonds ;  but  some  delay  occurred  in  endeavoring  to  contract  the 
work.  The  directors  were  not  willing  to  assume  the  responsibili- 
ties unless  a  contract  could  be  made  with  a  responsible  party  to  do 
the  work.  No  one  offered,  and  there  seemed  no  alternative, 
but  for  the  former  contractor  to  assume  its  responsibilities.  The 
contract  was  entered  into,  the  contractor  engaging  to  put  up  the 
whole  works,  in  full  accordance  and  requirement  of  the  plans, 
specifications,  and  contract,  for  the  sum  of  $130,000,  and  to  fxilly 
complete  the  same  within  one  year ;  all  of  which  was  performed 
to  the  full  satisfaction  of  the  directors  and  of  the  Common 
Council. 

This  gave  about  forty  million  gallons  more  storage  capacity, 
and  eighty  feet  greater  head  to  the  water  to  the  city,  or  a  difference 
of  thirty-five  pounds  additional  pressure  to  an  inch.  The  reservoir 
on  High  street  was  at  this  time  sold  and  filled  up  by  the  purchaser. 

In  pursuance  of  the  heretofore  mentioned  Act  of  the  Legislature, 
passed  May  18th,  1868,  the  City  of  Utica  entered  into  a  contract 
with  the  Utica  Water  Works  Company  as  follows,  viz.:  the  said 
Company  agreed  to  furnish  water  for  the  said  City,  for  the  ex- 
tinguishment of  fires,  and  to  lay  and  extend  its  pipes  and  conduits 
in  the  streets  designated  upon  a  map  and  plan  presented  to  the 
Common  Council  of  said  City,  by  a  committee  of  directors  of  said 
Company,  on  the  20th  day  of  April,  1868,  duplicate  of  which  is 
on  file  in  the  office  of  the  City  Clerk,  and  is  certified  to  by 
Theodore  S.  Sayre,  on  behalf  of  the  City  Committee,  as  the  map 
and  plan  here  referred  to,  and  to  provide  suitable  reservoirs  to 
constantly  supply  said  City  with  sufficient  water  for  the  extinguish- 
ment of  fires:  provided  said  City  shall  pay  therefor  the  considera- 
tion hereinafter  mentioned ;  and  also  upon  the  condition  that  the 
said  Company  shall  be  able,  on  or  before  the  15th  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1868,  by  the  sale  of  stock  or  otherwise,  to  raise  sufficient 
money  to  complete  the  works  contemplated  by  this  contract. 


15 

And  said  City  agrees  that  when  the  said  Company  shall  have  fur- 
nished by  the  said  reservoir,  and  by  the  pipes  and  conduits  a  supply 
of  water  in  manner  and  for  purposes  aforesaid,  and  so  long  as 
they  shall  continue  to  supply  sufficient  water  for  said  purposes,  it 
will  pay  therefor  to  the  said  Company  the  sum  of  ten  thousand 
dollars,  annually,  on  the  15th  day  of  November  of  each  and  every 
year,  and  will  also  pay  one-half  of  said  taxes  assessed  upon  the 
Company,  within  the  limits  of  said  City,  and  taxed  therein,  in 
excess  of  $1,000. 

If  said  City  shall  determine  to  have  said  water  pipes  extended 
on  any  street  beyond  the  point  designated  on  said  map,  the  said 
Company  agrees  to  extend  the  same  to  such  point  as  may  be 
designated ;  the  said  City  agreeing  to  pay  in  addition  to  the  sum 
herein  specified,  seven  per  cent  upon  the  cost  of  said  extension,  or 
new  work,  annually. 

The  Company  agrees  that  the  City  may  obtain  a  supply  of 
water  for  the  City  Hall  and  other  public  buildings,  owned  or  occu- 
pied for  municipal  purposes,  without  payment  of  water  rents,  but 
subject  in  other  respects  to  the  rules  of  the  Company.  The  City 
is  to  furnish  all  the  hydrants,  the  Company  to  put  in  and  connect 
the  same  Avith  the  pipes ;  the  City  agreeing  to  pay  all  expenses 
therefor,  excepting  the  pipes  connecting  the  hydrants  with  the 
mains.  The  Company  agrees  to  erect  six  fountains  and  supply 
them  with  water,  the  City  to  pay  the  expense  thereof. 

This  much  needed  and  timely  accession  to  the  Company's  works 
placed  it  on  a  basis  most  satisfactory  to  the  directors  and  to  the 
citizens  generally.  For  the  present  the  supply  was  abundant,  and 
it  was  hoped  would  continue  so  for  at  least  five  years  to  come ;  but 
the  rapid  growth  of  the  City,  and  consequent  demand,  again 
warned  the  directors  that  it  would  be  prudent  to  prepare  for  larger 
storage  capacity  at  an  early  day. 

By  an  Act  passed  April  7th,  1870,  the  Utica  Water  Works 
Company  was  authorized  to  increase  its  capital  stock  to  a  sum  not 
exceeding  $400,000,  to  be  fixed  from  time  to  time  by  directors  of 
said  Company. 

Prior  to  1 872  one  of  the  directors  visited  Cedar  Lake  several 
times  in  reference  to  the  possibility  of  bringing  its  waters  to  the 
reservoirs  for  City  purposes.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  the  services 
of  Hiram  Park  were  engaged  to  make  surveys  and  estimates  of 
the  quantity  of  water  that  could  be  obtained,  and  the  probable 
cost  of  an  aqueduct  to  the  distributing  reservoir,  a  distance  of  ten 
miles.  Mr.  Park  found  the  pond  to  have  an  area  of  twenty-two 


16 

acres,  and  estimated  the  cost  of  such  an  undertaking,  to  its  com- 
pletion, to  be  $220,000,  which  was  a  much  larger  expense  than 
contemplated,  and  decided  to  be  unworthy  of  further  consideration. 
Mr.  Park  was  requested  to  make  a  preliminary  survey  of  the 
Starch  Factory  Creek.  This  being  done,  plans,  specifications  and 
estimates  were  prepared,  for  the  erection  of  the  large  impounding 
reservoir.  In  the  spring  of  1873,  the  services  of  an  engineer  was 
secured  to  carry  through  and  to  take  principal  supervision  of  the 
work;  he  remained  in  this  position  a  short  time  and  resigned,  not 
being  willing  to  continue  in  the  responsibilities  of  so  hazardous  an 
undertaking;  whereupon  the  duties  fell  upon  the  director  who  had 
erected  the  former  works.  Since  large  quantities  of  material  were 
ordered,  and  arriving  on  the  ground,  and  the  work  in  full  progress, 
it  was  continued  until  July,  when  a  "  strike  "  was  imminent ;  and 
as  the  bank  could  not  be  so  far  completed  as  to  secure  it  against 
destruction  by  the  spring  floods,  the  men  were  dismissed ;  nor 
was  the  work  resumed  till  the  spring  following,  when  four  hundred 
men  and  eighty  teams  were  engaged,  and  the  work  hardly  pressed 
until  the  frosts  of  winter  came  upon  us,  when  the  bank  was  to  be 
raised  fully  ten  or  twelve  feet  to  be  secure.  The  wheelbarrow 
men  and  shovelers  were  kept  at  work  all  winter,  but  as  this  would 
not  give  the  desired  security  to  the  banks,  it  was  finally  resolved 
to  make  a  flume  through  the  south  end  of  the  bank,  twelve  feet 
deep  and  six  feet  wide,  with  two  gates,  each  three  by  six  feet. 
This,  together  with  twenty  inch  waste  pipe  through  the  bottom  of 
the  bank,  safely  discharged  the  waters  of  the  spring  floods,  and 
the  reservoir  was  finished  the  following  year.  This  reservoir  is 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  in  length,  with  an  area  of  about  thirty 
acres,  and  a  capacity  of  holding  about  three  hundred  million 
gallons  of  water.  The  bank  has  three  hundred  feet  base,  twenty 
feet  across  the  top,  and  is  seventy  feet  in  height.  The  cast  iron 
mains  connecting  this  reservoir  with  the  distributing  reservoir  are 
twenty  inch  to  East  street,  the  rest  of  twelve  inch  internal 
diameter.  The  entire  cost  was  $157,000,  which  sum  was  provided 
for  by  increase  of  the  capital  stock  of  the  Company  $100,000,  and 
the  remainder  by  issue  of  its  bonds,  $57,000.  The  works  heretofore 
mentioned  have  given  ample  supply  of  water  for  the  uses  of  the 
City  to  this  time;  and  to  be  fully  prepared  for  all  emergencies,  the 
directors  resolveJLP  advance  with  the  constant  progress  of  the  City, 
and  enlarge  and  extend  the  works  commensurate  with  all  demands. 
In  the  summer  of  1885,  titles  were  fully  perfected  to  the  basin 
lands  lying  southerly  of  the  south  bounds  of  the  distributing 


ir 

reservoir,  and  the  northerly  bound  of  "  Sylvan  Glen,"  containing 
an  area  of  eighty-one  acres.  This  site  for  the  new  reservoir  em- 
braces advantages  seldom  to  be  obtained  at  any  price.  Its  supply 
of  water  will  be  from  the  westerly  terminus  of  the  Company's 
water  shed,  as  it  emerges  from  the  deep,  rocky  forest  glen  above 
mentioned. 

The  full  extent  of  the  water  shed  covers  an  area  of  fifteen  square 
miles,  and  taking  in  the  full  northerly  slope  of  the  hills  lying  south 
and  southeasterly  of  the  city.  These  hills  in  a  distance  of  twelve 
miles  culminate  in  twelve  hundred  feet  elevation,  sending  their 
waters  down  through  a  thousand  little  rivulets,  to  the  four  rocky 
chasms,  from  whence  they  are  received,  uncontaminated  by  morass 
or  swamp,  into  the  reservoirs  below,  ready  to  be  drawn  at  all 
times,  and  under  various  pressure,  by  the  use  of  the  gates  connect- 
ing the  reservoirs.  The  waters  of  this  district  have  not  been 
stored  heretofore  but  in  a  very  limited  extent,  and  are  soft  and 
nearly  free  from  lime,  which  renders  them  valuable  for  manu- 
facturing purposes. 

In  Oneida  county  the  rainfall  averages  forty  inches  annually — 
«qual  to  a  volume  of  1,858,560,000  gallons.  Deduct  one-third  for 
evaporation,  percolation,  &c.,  &c.,  and  there  remains  1,239,040,000, 
available  for  domestic  purposes.  On  completion  of  the  new 
reservoir  the  storage  capacity  of  the  four  reservoirs  will  be 
800,000,000  gallons.  Add  to  this  439,040,000  gallons  for  replen- 
ishing the  quantity  drawn  in  course  of  the  year,  and  we  have  the 
sum  total  of  available  rainfall,  as  above  stated :  equal  to  three 
million  four  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  gallons  per  day,  or  thirty- 
four  gallons  per  capita  for  a  population  of  one  hundred  thousand  ; 
and  in  addition  the  never-varying  subterranean  flow  at  Graefenberg 
of  five  hundred  thousand  gallons  per  day.  Other  reservoirs  will 
be  made  from  time  to  time  as  may  be  required. 

The  works  in  progress  of  construction  were  commenced  about 
the  first  of  September,  1885,  under  the  direction  of  the  President 
of  the  Company.  The  work  of  laying  the  twenty-four  inch  pipes 
from  the  south  side  of  the  distributing  reservoir  began  the 
first  of  September;  from  thence  it  extended  down  through  J.  W. 
Miller's  farm  to  the  center  of  James  and  Mohawk  streets ;  thence 
westerly  through  James  street  to  Brinckerhoff  avenue  to  Square 
street ;  thence  westerly  in  Square  street  to  Johnson  square  and 
West  street,  a  distance  of  7,150  feet.  From  twenty  inch  valve 
twenty  inch  main  extend  northerly  in  West  street  to  Rutger 
street ;  thence  westerly  to  Hopper  street,  to  Union ;  down  Union 


18 

to  Blandina,  to  Genesee;  down  Genesee,  turning  through  Hotel 
street,  under  the  canal,  to  Liberty  street;  thence  to  Genesee  street, 
and  down  Genesee  to  Whitesboro  street ;  a  distance  of  6,600  feet. 
Finished  in  December,  1885. 

The  plans  further  contemplate  the  laying  of  a  twenty  inch  main 
from  the  twenty  inch  gate  (set  for  the  purpose)  from  Johnson 
square,  through  Hobart  street  to  Genesee ;  thence  to  Noyes  street, 
and  through  Noyes  street  to  Stark  street ;  a  distance  of  4,500  feet. 

In  addition  to  the  large  mains,  about  two-and-a-half  miles  of 
smaller  mains  were  laid,  varying  from  four  to  ten  inches  calibre; 
and  about  the  same  quantity  will  be  laid  next  year. 

Work  was  commenced  on  the  new  reservoir  simultaneously  with 
the  laying  of  pipe,  and  was  pushed  to  the  full  extent  desirable  in 
weather  so  unpropitious  as  that  of  last  autumn.  This  reservoir, 
when  completed,  will  hold  about  five  hundred  million  gallons  of 
water.  Its  bank  will  be  two  thousand  feet  in  length,  and  will 
have  sixty  feet  elevation  from  the  base  line  of  the  reservoir;  the 
sectional  lines  two  hundred  and  sixty  feet  at  base,  slopes  of  bank 
one  to  two,  and  twenty  feet  between  angles  at  top.  The  whole 
will  be  constructed  of  earth,  to  be  taken  from  the  interior  of  the 
reservoir,  which  is  abundant  and  of  the  very  best  quality.  The 
bank  will  only  be  built  this  year  to  a  height  of  forty-five  feet,  and 
may  be  ready  for  partial  filling  in  July.  In  connection  with 
this  work  the  distributing  reservoir  will  be  enlarged  in  extent  of 
about  two  and  one-half  acres,  and  deepened  sufficiently  to  give  it 
nearly  double  its  present  capacity.  These  new  works  will  require 
an  outlay  of  $200.000. 

The  supply  of  water  to  the  City  is  by  gravity  flow,  which  is  the 
most  economical,  reliable  and  efficient  of  any  system  yet  adopted. 
The  reservoirs  are  so  connected  with  conduits  that  water  may  be 
let  on  for  City  supply  from  either,  or  all,  as  occasion  may  require. 
The  usual  direct  flow,  however,  is  from  the  distributing  reservoir, 
the  surface  of  which  is  two  hundred  feet  elevation  above  the  datum 
line  of  the  City.  This  gives  a  pressure  of  eighty-seven  pounds  to 
a  square  inch,  and  a  flow  from  the  hydrant  at  Bagg's  square  of 
about  eighty  feet  altitude.  If  in  case  of  a  large  conflagration  a 
higher  flow  should  be  desirable,  the  gate  from  the  said  reservoir 
would  be  closed,  and  the  gate  to  the  new  reservoir  opened, 
which  would  give  a  pressure  of  one  hundred  and  thirteen  pounds 
to  an  inch.  By  closing  both  these  gates  and  opening  the  gate 
at  the  Starch  Factory  Creek  reservoir  the  pressure  would  be 
raised  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  pounds  to  a  square  inch.  The 


19 

fourth  reservoir  would  give  a  pressure  of  two  hundred  and  seventy 
pounds  to  an  inch,  which  is  beyond  the  strength  of  any  Water 
Company's  Works  to  bear.  The  capital  stock  of  the  Company 
was  increased  last  year  to  the  sum  of  $400,000. 

At  the  close  of  this  year  the  aggregate  length  of  the  Company's 
cast  iron  mains  will  not  vary  much  from  forty-five  miles. 

The  purchase  of  buildings  Nos.  234  and  236  Genesee  street,  for 
an  office,  is  the  last  act  worthy  of  mention. 

Officers  of  the  Water    Works   Company,  1885-1886. 

THOMAS  HOPPER.  President. 
A.  G.  BROWEB,  Vice  President. 
P.  V.  ROGERS,  Treasurer. 
J.  K.  CHAMBERLAYNE,  Secretary. 

Board  of  Directors. 

ABRAM  G.  BROWER,  C.  G.  CHURCHILL, 

PUBLIUS  V.  ROGERS,  THEODORE  S.  SAYRE, 

CHARLES  A.  BUTLER,  HENRY  J.  WOOD, 

WILLIAM  KERNAN,  THOMAS  HOPPER, 

J.  K.  CHAMBERLAYISTE. 


Since  the  above  account  of  the  Utica  Water  Works  was  written 
it  might  be  interesting  to  add — that  at  the  present  date,  October 
llth,  1886,  the  works  contemplated  are  now  nearly  completed. 
The  banks  of  the  new  reservoir  are  raised  to  a  height  of  forty- 
seven  feet,  on  the  summit  of  which  a  driveway  is  formed  thirty 
feet  in  width,  from  which  is  revealed  many  extended  landscapes  of 
great  beauty  and  interest.  Work  was  commenced  about  the  first 
of  May  with  as  large  a  force  of  men  and  teams  as  could  be 
advantageously  engaged,  and  from  time  to  time  were  increased  as 
needed,  generally  numbering  eighty  teams  and  two  hundred  and 
seventy  men.  The  material  from  which  the  bank  has  been  entirely 
made  is  of  the  best  kind  and  in  great  abundance,  and  enough  yet 
remains  for  the  sixty  feet  bank,  when  the  time  comes  for  its  con- 
struction. The  area  of  this  reservoir  has  been  extended  easterly 
forty  feet,  and  the  depth  lowered  on  an  average  of  about  eight 
feet,  thus  increasing  its  capacity  to  about  400,000,000  of  gallons, 
and  when  the  sixty  feet  bank  shall  have  been  completed  it  will  be 


UCSB 


able  to  store  perhaps  600,000,000  gallons.  In  course  of  construct- 
ing the  works,  the  area  of  the  distributing  reservoir  was  enlarged 
from  eleven  to  fourteen  acres,  with  an  added  depth  from  three  to 
twelve  feet,  thus  nearly  doubling  its  previous  capacity.  The 
banks  also  have  been  improved  by  raising  the  same  to  a 
uniform  height,  widened  likewise,  and  the  inner  slopes  sub- 
stantially paved.  As  the  rivulets  formerly  flowing  into  this 
reservoir  are  now  all  cut  off,  and  their  waters  empty  into  the  new 
reservoir,  the  distributing  reservoir  receives  its  supply  entirely 
from  the  other  reservoirs  through  iron  pipes  laid  for  that  purpose; 
the  ingress  and  egress  being  governed  entirely  by  gates,  and  at  the 
option  of  the  attendant,  water  can  be  drawn  from  either  or  all  the 
other  reservoirs.  The  twenty  inch  iron  aqueduct  laid  between 
the  two  large  impounding  reservoirs  is  mainly  for  bringing  the 
surplus  waters  from  the  easterly  to  the  westerly  (or  new) 
reservoir,  or  they  may  be  turned  into  the  distributing  reservoirs. 
As  the  works  were  virtually  finished  on  the  9th  inst.,  the  teams 
and  most  of  the  men  which  have  been  connected  with  the  sum- 
mer's labor  were  dismissed. 

It  may  be  here  added  also  that  about  four  miles  of  distributing 
mains  have  been  laid  in  the  city  this  year,  and  probably  two  miles 
more  will  be  buried  before  winter,  thus  aggregating  not  less  than 
fifty  miles  of  pipes  for  distribution. 

T.  H. 


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